Biodiversity impacts of the 2019–2020 Australian megafires

Nature, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 635(8040), P. 898 - 905

Published: Nov. 13, 2024

With large wildfires becoming more frequent1,2, we must rapidly learn how megafires impact biodiversity to prioritize mitigation and improve policy. A key challenge is discover interactions among fire-regime components, drought land tenure shape wildfire impacts. The globally unprecedented3,4 2019–2020 Australian burnt than 10 million hectares5, prompting major investment in monitoring. Collated data include responses of 2,000 taxa, providing an unparalleled opportunity quantify affect biodiversity. We reveal that the largest effects on plants animals were areas with frequent or recent past fires within extensively areas. Areas at high severity, outside protected under extreme also had larger effects. included declines increases after fire, rainforests by mammals. Our results implicate species interactions, dispersal extent situ survival as mechanisms underlying fire responses. Building resilience into these ecosystems depends reducing recurrence, including rapid suppression frequently burnt. Defending wet ecosystems, expanding considering localized could contribute. While countermeasures can help mitigate impacts megafires, reversing anthropogenic climate change remains urgent broad-scale solution. Data collected from taxa provide biodiversity, revealing

Language: Английский

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Large‐scale and long‐term wildlife research and monitoring using camera traps: a continental synthesis

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 17, 2025

ABSTRACT Camera traps are widely used in wildlife research and monitoring, so it is imperative to understand their strengths, limitations, potential for increasing impact. We investigated a decade of use cameras (2012–2022) with case study on Australian terrestrial vertebrates using multifaceted approach. ( i ) synthesised information from literature review; ii conducted an online questionnaire 132 professionals; iii hosted in‐person workshop 28 leading experts representing academia, non‐governmental organisations (NGOs), government; iv mapped camera trap usage based all sources. predicted that the last would have shown: exponentially sampling effort, continuation trends up 2012; analytics shifted naive presence/absence capture rates towards hierarchical modelling accounts imperfect detection, thereby improving quality outputs inferences occupancy, abundance, density; broader scales terms multi‐species, multi‐site multi‐year studies. However, results showed effort has reached plateau, publication only modestly. Users reported reaching saturation point images could be processed by humans time complex analyses academic writing. There were strong taxonomic geographic biases medium–large mammals (>500 g) forests along Australia's southeastern coastlines, reflecting proximity major cities. Regarding analytical choices, bias‐prone indices still accounted ~50% this was consistent across user groups. Multi‐species, multiple‐year studies rare, largely driven hesitancy around collaboration data sharing. no repository Atlas Living Australia (ALA) dominant sharing tabular occurrence records. ALA presence‐only thus unsuitable creating detection histories absences, inhibiting modelling. Workshop discussions identified pressing need enhance efficiency, scale management outcomes, proposal Wildlife Observatory (WildObs). To encourage standards sharing, WildObs should promote metadata collection app; create tagged image facilitate artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) computer vision space; address identification bottleneck via AI/ML‐powered image‐processing platforms; commons suitable modelling; v provide capacity building tools Our review highlights while investments monitoring biodiversity position global leader context, realising requires paradigm shift best practices collecting, curating, analysing ‘Big Data’. findings framework broad applicability outside meet conservation objectives ranging local scales. This articulates country/continental observatory approach also international collaborative networks.

Language: Английский

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Biodiversity Protection Practices in Supply Chain Management: A Novel Hybrid Grey Best–Worst Method/Axial Distance-Based Aggregated Measurement Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Model

Applied Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(3), P. 1354 - 1354

Published: Jan. 28, 2025

Biodiversity, from genes to entire ecosystems, is crucial for a healthy planet. However, human activities, including business practices, are causing rapid biodiversity loss. This study focuses on selecting and integrating protection practices into the supply chain, offering chance make positive changes environment future generations. A new hybrid grey multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model proposed in this paper, which combines Best–Worst Method (BWM) obtaining criteria weights Axial Distance-based Aggregated Measurement (ADAM) method ranking alternatives (practices). The applicability of solving defined problem was demonstrated by nine according seven criteria. most effective chain management context conservation were policies (with score 0.044), goal setting, monitoring, reporting, transparency (0.039), education awareness raising (0.037). These best because they combine clear frameworks, measurable goals, long-term cultural change conservation. lowest ranked practice compliance with legislation (0.006) since it represents baseline, reactive approach rather than proactive or innovative strategy provides comprehensive framework MCDM that enhances theoretical knowledge can serve as basis developing practical tool integrating, assessing, prioritizing biodiversity-focused chains. main novelties paper extension ADAM environment, development BWM method, identification biodiversity-oriented strategies chains their evaluation, evaluation selection.

Language: Английский

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Subfossils suggest worse-than-realised losses of small-bodied mammals in northern Australia

Wildlife Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 52(1)

Published: Jan. 16, 2025

Context Examining Australia’s late Quaternary subfossil record can be valuable in assessing whether the current diversity of small-bodied mammals seen across some parts northern Australia is ‘normal’. Such records are important for establishing baselines measuring historic changes communities today and into future. These datasets becoming increasingly important, given trajectories global climate change, predicted habitat losses other potential anthropogenic impacts. Aims The main aim this study to utilise local from north-eastern establish a natural baseline small mammal post-European colonisation. Methods Subfossils vertebrates taxa were recovered surface deposits adjacent cave entrances at Broken River, near Greenvale Queensland, subjected taxonomic, taphonomic statistical analyses. then compared with faunal modern surveys compare differences between past present. Key results Radiocarbon dating showed that these subfossils geologically young, approximately time European We provide evidence former presence extinct species hopping mice (Notomys spp.) rabbit rats (Conilurus region. Additional locally extirpated such as Cape York bandicoot (Isoodon peninsulae) Shark Bay mouse (Pseudomys gouldii) demonstrated considerable range contractions since accumulated, their distribution. Independent land snails is, two exceptions, all modern-day vine thicket, karst-dwelling indicating long-term maintenance thicket habitat. Thus, loss several unlikely result loss. Conclusions Analysis small-mammal much more diverse than region’s extant faunas recorded by surveys. Many extinctions extirpations evidently occurred prior being inhabitants Implications Our data suggested colonisation likely substantially worse previously realised.

Language: Английский

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Composition and Biodiversity of Culturable Endophytic Fungi in the Roots of Alpine Medicinal Plants in Xinjiang, China

Journal of Fungi, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 11(2), P. 113 - 113

Published: Feb. 3, 2025

(1) Background: Endophytic fungi play an important role in plant growth and stress resistance. The presence of a special fungal taxon such as the dark septate endophytic (DSE) alpine environments is particularly for resistance to environmental stresses. However, composition root different between host plants has not been well studied. (2) Results: A total 408 culturable were isolated from roots Saussurea involucrata Rhodiola crenulata which collected 5 plots Tianshan Karakoram Mountains Xinjiang region, belonging 91 species, 54 genera, 31 families, 3 phyla based on morphological characteristics molecular sequence. Among them, DSE dominant group, accounting 52.94%, Leptodontidium orchidicola was species. In addition, we also compared diversity sites, with emphasis taxa DSE. (3) Conclusions: cultural are significantly two medicinal species across various locations. Some showed preferences or environment. resources, especially DSE, very rich plants, indicating that these may crucial ecological adaptation harsh environments.

Language: Английский

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Quantifying drivers of decline: A case study of long-term changes in arboreal marsupial detections

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 293, P. 110589 - 110589

Published: April 17, 2024

Using a 26-year dataset, we quantify temporal change in detections of arboreal marsupial species the tall, wet montane ash forests mainland south-eastern Australia. We sought to determine if patterns number were associated with changes potential explanatory variables, such as stand age and abundance hollow-bearing trees. Our key findings were: (1) Four characterised by an overall decline over time, although sometimes complex, non-linear ways. Exceptions Common Ringtail Possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) which increased, Mountain Brushtail (Trichosurus cunninghami) exhibited no change. (2) Detections almost all strongly related (3) Long-term declines most trees age. And, (4) There strong interspecific effects, ranging from negative associations young regenerated forest after wildfire 2009 for Southern Greater Glider (Petauroides volans), positive same aged Possum. underscore that management must properly address drivers decline. Management protect promote recruitment large old keystone resource marsupials. results also highlight substantial lag effects condition resulting past clearfelling recurrent wildfires has led widespread degradation. Active, long-term restoration programs will be needed this problem.

Language: Английский

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How do invasive predators and their native prey respond to prescribed fire?

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(5)

Published: May 1, 2024

Abstract Fire shapes animal communities by altering resource availability and species interactions, including between predators prey. In Australia, there is particular concern that two highly damaging invasive predators, the feral cat ( Felis catus ) European red fox Vulpes vulpes ), increase their activity in recently burnt areas exert greater predation pressure on native prey due to increased exposure. We tested how prescribed fire occurrence extent, along with history, vegetation, topography, distance anthropogenic features (towns farms), affected (detection frequency) of cats, foxes, mammal community south‐eastern Australia. used camera traps quantify before after a burn statistically interacted these habitat variables affect activity. found little evidence influenced cats foxes no an effect kangaroo or small (<800 g) Medium‐sized mammals (800–2000 were negatively associated suggesting has negative impact short term. The lack clear from likely positive outcome management perspective. However, we highlight response dependent upon factors like size, severity, availability. Future experiments should incorporate GPS‐trackers record fine‐scale movements temperate ecosystems immediately best inform within protected areas.

Language: Английский

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Sustained predation pressure may prevent the loss of anti‐predator traits from havened populations

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(7)

Published: July 1, 2024

Conservation havens free of invasive predators are increasingly relied upon for fauna conservation, although havened populations can lose anti-predator traits, likely making them less suitable life 'beyond the fence'. Sustaining low levels mammalian predator pressure inside may prevent loss traits from populations. We opportunistically compared behavioural and morphological between four woylie (

Language: Английский

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Dancing with the devil: Could native predators inside ‘predator‐free’ havens be good for the conservation of threatened native prey species?

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 6, 2025

Abstract As invasive predators continue to drive global biodiversity loss, predator‐free havens are rapidly being established recover threatened fauna. An unintended consequence of these efforts is that havened populations can lose anti‐predator traits, making them poorly suited for reintroduction into landscapes contain predators. One approach showing promise in preventing the loss critical responses from situ predator exposure. Here we evaluate this via experimental translocations determine whether predation pressure a native mesopredator (chuditch; Dasyurus geoffroii ) effective retaining behavioural and morphological traits Endangered woylie ( Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi ). We conducted replicated reintroductions semi‐havened (free but exposed chuditch) non‐havened (control) woylies vacant bushland containing chuditch, feral foxes Vulpes vulpes cats Felis catus monitored survival, reproduction, physiology (faecal glucocorticoid metabolites, fGCM), proxies before 10 months after their release. found no effects source population on weight, pes length, agitation behaviour or fGCM. Survival probability was higher males, individuals with fGCM levels, could not attribute differences survival they originated haven. These findings suggest sustained chuditch inside haven has been maintaining supporting faced novel Synthesis Applications . In exposure be valuable tool preserving populations. However, it will crucial understand thresholds across contexts fauna withstand recommending broad‐scale adoption strategy.

Language: Английский

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The estimated cost of preventing extinction and progressing recovery for Australia’s priority threatened species

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 122(6)

Published: Feb. 3, 2025

The global extinction crisis is intensifying rapidly, driven by habitat loss, overexploitation, climate change, invasive species, and disease. This unprecedented loss of species not only threatens ecological integrity but also undermines ecosystem services vital for human survival. In response, many countries have set ambitious conservation targets such as halting extinctions, yet the necessary financial commitments to achieve this are rarely prescribed. Estimating costs can be achieved using an ensemble spatially variable species-specific cost models threat abatement activities. We employ method provide a assessment halt extinctions Australia’s priority terrestrial freshwater species. show that it will ~AUD15.6 billion/year 30 y these 99 (comparable 1% GDP). more objectives move down one category (~AUD103.7 billion/year) or remove from threatened list entirely (~AUD157.7 would require considerably investment. Regardless what spent, we found 16 (16%) could removed due extensive historical declines pervasive, ongoing, unmanageable threats, change. But implementing efforts ensure benefits over 43% all nationally listed nonmarine Adequate funding crucial meeting government requires both leadership private sector

Language: Английский

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